Hand-Crafting Fine Guitars & Ukuleles Since 1958

The History of Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars and Ukuleles

Through the years, Augustino has consulted or designed stringed instruments for many companies including Guild, Martin, Kramer, Fender and others. Many of today's well-known guitar builders got their start helping out in Augie's shop, observing and learning from the master.In the beginning Augustino learned by trial and error. He had discovered early on that it is not only the completion of nearly 300 steps to building a good guitar, but the sequence used to complete them.

The importance of using high quality seasoned woods is essential, Augie insists. He's invested much of his money in wood, knowing that the price of it was always going up and the quality kept going down. On the average, instruments he builds today are from woods ranging in age from four to eight years. The absolute minimum age of the wood he uses for instrument construction is two years--going up in age to the stash of Brazilian rosewood which he purchased in 1963.

Augie has always known the importance of persistence and hard work. He has lived by his father's words. "Do good work and the money will come." According to him he is still waiting on the money, but he still continues to strive to build the best possible guitar he can build. Whether the money comes or not Augustino says he still loves what he is doing.